Explore oral histories

Enid Plante, circa 1940s

Enid Plante, interviewed by Tom Spurling and Jean Swift, 17 January 1986

Enid was the first female appointed to the Physical Chemistry Section of the CSIR Division of Industrial Chemistry at the age of 21.

John Stoker

John Stocker, interviewed by Tom Spurling and Terry Healy, 25 May 2018

John Stocker held the position of Chief Executive at CSIRO from 1990 to 1995

Annabelle Duncan

Annabelle Duncan, interviewed by Tom Spurling and Terry Healy, 6 February 2019

Annabelle Duncan was the Chief of the Division of Molecular Science (1999-2005)

Spotlight on....

Research vessel Investigator under construction

RV Investigator skidding time-lapse

The 93.9 metre research vessel, which weighs 6,082 ton, was moved from the wharf to a barge using a hydraulic system, and then towed to a dock, where the barge was submerged, leaving the vessel floating.

The Parkes Control Room, Apollo 11 Mission

Parkes radio telescope and the Apollo 11 Moon landing

In July 1969, the Parkes Observatory played an important role in history, when it received and broadcast the first Moon landing, Apollo 11.

2°C climate target a hot topic

Carbon dioxide emission reductions required to limit global warming to 2°C are becoming a receding goal based on new figures […]

Featured profiles

Mary Ann Augustin

Mary Ann Augustin

Mary Ann Augustin has had several science leadership and multi-disciplinary project leader roles at CSIRO. Her main area of research is in protein structure and immunoparasitology.

Portrait of Gerald Lightfoot

Gerald Lightfoot [1877–1966]

Mr. Lightfoot came to Australia in 1906 and joined the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics where he was responsible for establishing the Bureau's Labour and Industrial Branch and extending it to the main industrial centres of the Commonwealth.

Ruby Payne Scott black and white image

Ruby Payne-Scott [1912-1981]

Ruby Payne-Scott was an Australian pioneer in radio physics and radio astronomy, and is believed to have been the first female radio astronomer.

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Adult Mutton Bird held in gloves

The Mutton Birds of Bass Strait (1956)

The Mutton Bird (Puffinus tenuirostris) has been the basis of a successful, if little-known, Tasmanian industry for more than a century. Each year millions of fledglings are harvested for their carcasses and oil.

Cow suffering from Pleuropneumonia.

The Pleuro Story (1973)

Bovine Contagious Pleuropneumonia was once the most-dreaded disease of the Australian cattle industry. Introduced into Australia in 1858, it spread to all the major cattle areas causing the loss of livestock markets, both local and overseas.

Broccoli being wrapped in Smart Film.

Visions for the future – Clever plastic wrap (1994)

Active Packaging – technology to ensure fresh produce reaches export markets in good condition.

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A flask is filled to the mark with distilled water.

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Dr Bruce Fraser at work in the CSIRO Parkville laboratory

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